New Delhi: Insisting that proposed split
of the MCD will bring improvement in civic facilities, Chief
Minister Sheila Dikshit on Thursday said that before criticising her
government, the BJP should "clarify" its stand as conflicting
voices were emanating from the opposition party on the issue.
"The BJP sometimes agrees to splitting the MCD.
Sometimes they oppose it. I do not know what is their stand on
the issue. They must first clarify their stand," Dikshit said,
replying to a question.
Delhi BJP chief Vijender Gupta had yesterday accused
Dikshit of trying to split the civic body "by force" and
demanded that a white paper be issued on the proposal to
divide the civic body into five smaller bodies.
Dikshit, who has been under attack from a section of
her own party over the proposal, said splitting the civic body
will significantly improve its functioning and it will be able
to serve people better.
The Delhi cabinet last week had decided "in principle"
to split the MCD into five smaller bodies ahead of the 2012
municipal polls.
The Cabinet had accepted the recommendations of a
high-level committee, headed by Health Minister A K Walia,
which suggested splitting the civic body into five smaller
municipalities. The committee had also suggested increasing
the total number of wards from current 272 to around 408.
The BJP had in the past demanded division of MCD into
smaller bodies but after appointment of the high level
committee in February by the government, the party started
opposing the move.
It said government`s move to split the MCD just a year
ahead of the municipal polls was aimed at gaining political
mileage only.
The BJP in its election manifesto for assembly polls
in Delhi in 2008 had favoured trifurcation of the MCD.
Meanwhile, addressing a workshop of Mahila Congress at
DPCC, Dikshit asked women workers of the party to get ready
for next year`s municipal polls.
"We have launched so many initiatives for welfare of
women and children. You must aware people about various
schemes launched by our government," said Dikshit, addressing
the gathering.
DPCC chief J P Aggarwal, who has expressed discontent
about the move to split MCD, was scheduled to attend the
function but did not turn up.
PTI
